Teaching (MAT)

Please visit the program page to learn about curriculum, faculty, careers, and more! To request more information about this degree, please fill out our form.

Application Requirements

Competitive merit scholarships are available for the most qualified applicants. Applicants are automatically considered for scholarships at time of acceptance; there is no separate application.

Applicants are expected to submit a completed application file that includes the following:

A completed online application or paper application form

Current résumé

Statement of purpose that addresses the following: Explain why you think teaching is right for you. What questions about teaching and learning are most important to you? What would you like your students to gain from your classroom?

Two letters of recommendation

One of the following test scores: GRE, MAT, or MTEL (an MTEL, or Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure, is preferred. If you have questions about which MTEL to take, please contact Graduate Studies Admission at 617-521-2915.)

Official college transcripts from every college or university attended. Must include degree conferral.

TOEFL scores, if English is not the applicant's first language

Non-refundable application fee of $35 (payable to Simmons College)

An interview is not required, but if you would like to learn more about the program or set up an interview, please contact Graduate Studies Admission at 617-521-2915

NOTE - The Simmons College Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) to lead to initial teaching licensure in Massachusetts. Please be prepared to respond to the following question in your application:

Which student-teaching experience are you interested in?

Semester-long practicum

Full-year internship

Application Deadlines

Graduate Studies Admission Office has a rolling admission policy. Apply early for maximum consideration for admission and financial aid. To meet priority application deadlines, completed application files should be submitted by the following dates:

Summer: May 1

Fall: August 1

Spring: December 15

Admission may be deferred for up to two semesters, after which applicants must reapply.

Non-Degree Enrollment Option

If you are unsure about enrolling in a graduate program, or just want to advance your educational experience, non-degree study at Simmons is the best option for you. As a non-degree student, you may enroll in up to two graduate-level courses (eight credits) before formally applying to a degree program. Find out more about our non-degree option.

Simmons welcomes applications from international students. Students for whom English is not their first language are required to submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score that demonstrates satisfactory proficiency. Simmons must receive test scores directly from ETS.

International students also must submit a Certificate of Finances Form that demonstrates proof of ability to pay tuition and living expenses while enrolled at Simmons. The College cannot issue an I-20 visa until the required financial statements have been received. I-20 visas are generated only after formal acceptance and a deposit is submitted for the program.

Officially translated and evaluated transcripts are required for transcripts not originally written in English. Only transcripts translated and evaluated by authorized organizations are accepted. The preferred provider of transcript evaluations at Simmons is listed below.

Merit Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are available in all full-length, on-campus degree programs, with awards ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 per year. Eligible applicants will automatically receive consideration for merit-based scholarships at the time of acceptance, and no additional paperwork is required beyond the application for admission. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply early to ensure availability of funding.

Teaching and Research Assistantships

Available starting in the student's second semester of study, teaching and research assistantships are granted to qualified graduate students. Students must apply for assistantships, and are selected by the graduate program director. Teaching assistants are assigned to a specific course and work under the close supervision of a graduate faculty member. Assistantships are a $2,000 taxable award per semester, distributed by payroll checks.

Urban Initiative

Consistent with our commitment to diversity, increased representation of traditionally underrepresented groups, and strong community partnerships, Simmons College offers graduate education degrees with tuition support to teachers, specialists, and paraprofessionals employed by Boston Public Schools, Cambridge Public Schools, or Boston/Cambridge area charter schools. Full-time employees of eligible schools who enroll in an on-campus graduate education degree program at Simmons may apply to receive up to two tuition vouchers, each of which may be used to cover the tuition for one required 4-credit course.